Throughout Scripture, the phrase “the Last Day” appears as a prophetic marker for the culmination of this present age. It is not just a poetic image. It is a definitive moment in history, when the resurrection of the righteous takes place. This is not the end of all of time, but the end of our current era, and the beginning of the tribulation and judgement of Christ.
Many confuse the first resurrection with the general resurrection or the final judgment. But Scripture speaks with clarity… there is a first resurrection for the saints and a second resurrection for the wicked. These are not the same event, and the difference between them has eternal consequences.
“And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:40)
The Promise of Resurrection on the Last Day
Jesus speaks repeatedly in John chapter 6 about raising believers on the last day:
“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:44)
“Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:54)
This phrase is not symbolic. It is literal. It points to a real resurrection of the body. Those who have died in Christ will be raised in glory. Their bodies will be changed, reunited with their spirits, and transformed in immortality.
This is not a secret event. It is the first resurrection, and it takes place when Christ returns in glory.
The First Resurrection
Revelation speaks clearly of two resurrections:
“Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.” (Revelation 20:6)
This is a resurrection of the righteous. It is described as blessed and holy. Those raised in this resurrection will not face the second death. They will reign with Christ.
The context makes clear this occurs before the final judgment of the dead:
“But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished.” (Revelation 20:5)
There is a gap between the resurrection of the righteous and the resurrection of the wicked. These are not simultaneous events. The saints are raised to life and glory. The wicked are raised later to judgment.
The Resurrection at Christ’s Coming: The Rapture
Paul tells us of the first resurrection in detail:
“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16)
The “dead in Christ” are believers who have died before Christ’s return. They are raised first, before the living saints are changed.
“Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” (1 Thessalonians 4:17)
This is the first resurrection. It is the moment of glorification for the Church. Paul, again clarifies in 1 Corinthians:
“Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.” (1 Corinthians 15:51–52)
This trumpet is the same that Jesus referenced:
“And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect…” (Matthew 24:31)
The first resurrection is tied directly to the return of Christ, the trumpet blast, and the gathering of the saints.
Who Takes Part in the First Resurrection?
Only the redeemed. Only those who belong to Christ.
“But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.” (1 Corinthians 15:23)
Christ was raised first. Then those who belong to Him, at His coming.
The first resurrection is not partial. It is not limited to martyrs alone. Revelation 20 speaks of those who “had not worshiped the beast” as a specific example, but the broader truth applies to all the faithful. Every believer who has died in Christ will rise on that day.
“For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 4:14)
The Second Resurrection
The second resurrection is described in Revelation 20, after the thousand-year reign of Christ.
“Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it… And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God… And the dead were judged according to their works… And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:11–15)
This is the resurrection of the unjust. It is not a resurrection unto life but unto condemnation. Believe it or not, Jesus foretold both resurrections:
“Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.” (John 5:28–29)
Two resurrections. Two destinies. One unto life. One unto judgment.
The Last Day and the End of the Age
Jesus also tied the resurrection to the end of this age:
“The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels.” (Matthew 13:39)
“So it will be at the end of the age: the angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just.” (Matthew 13:49)
The end of the age brings separation. Not all rise together. The saints are raised to inherit the kingdom. The wicked are raised to face judgment.
The Second Death Has No Power Over the Saints
“He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.” (Revelation 2:11)
“Over such the second death has no power.” (Revelation 20:6)
The second death is the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14). The saints, having been raised in the first resurrection, are untouched by it. Their judgment was already borne by Christ. Their resurrection is to life and reward.
Theological Clarity on Timing
The resurrection of the saints is tied to:
- The return of Christ
- The sounding of the trumpet
- The gathering of the elect
- The beginning of Christ’s reign
The resurrection of the wicked is tied to:
- The end of the millennium
- The Great White Throne judgment
- The lake of fire
These events are distinct in Scripture. To conflate them is to confuse the hope of the righteous with the doom of the wicked.
Why This Matters for the Believer
Knowing that we will be raised on the last day gives us:
Hope in death
“But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep… For the Lord Himself will descend… and the dead in Christ will rise first.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13–16)
Courage in suffering
“That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings…” (Philippians 3:10)
Purity in life
“And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” (1 John 3:3)
Victory in Christ
“O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?… But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:55, 57)
My Final Thoughts
The Last Day is not a myth. It is the appointed day when the trumpet will sound, the dead in Christ will rise, and we who are alive will be changed. It is the first resurrection, the great hope of every saint.
The second resurrection will come too, but not for glory. It is the resurrection unto judgment. The books will be opened. The deeds will be revealed. And only those whose names are written in the Book of Life will escape the second death.
The question is not whether you will be raised, but which resurrection will you be in?
Let us live in light of the Last Day. Let us walk in holiness, hope, and readiness. And let us declare to the world that there is a resurrection unto life for those who are in Christ.
“And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that I should lose nothing of all He has given Me, but should raise it up at the last day.” (John 6:39)
